Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos on Thursday urged all 42,027 barangays and the public to join the national launching of "Barangay at Kalinisan Day" (BarKaDa) on Saturday, 16 September.
Abalos said this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s call for bayanihan.
BarKaDa is a nationwide community-based clean-up drive program, geared to maintain and provide a healthy and safe environment and prevent the spread of diseases through proper solid waste management.
Simultaneous BarKaDa activities will be held in 29 esteros and creeks in the Cities of Manila, Quezon, Caloocan, Pasig, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Pasay.
In Memorandum Circular 2023-133, Abalos urged barangays to pass an ordinance or resolution declaring one day of the week as BarKaDa, preferably every Saturday.
During BarKaDa, barangays are expected to conduct coastal clean-up, dredge clogged waterways, prune thick bushes or branches, and dismantle breeding places of mosquitoes in coastal areas, waterways, creeks, public parks, roads, and other public spaces within their areas.